My Story

Chixocol, where your child lives, is a very small village nestled in a mountain valley in the state of Quiché, Guatemala. Life in this state is very difficult. Most families live in one-room adobe houses with dirt floors and a small, attached kitchen. The extremely poor live in houses made of corn stalks. In the past few years, electricity and water have become available to most people in the area - however, indoor plumbing is very rare. Most of the families are farmers or shepherds and live off the fruits of their labors. Public education is available for those who can afford it and consider it of value.  Life in Quiché is always a challenge.

Hello! I feel so happy to greet you through this letter. My name is Andy Gustavo Grave Pol, and I am now 6 years old. I was born on May 18, 2018. I attend school in kindergarten. In my spare time I enjoy playing soccer and toy cars. My favorite color is blue. The animal that I like the most is the dog. I like to eat beans with eggs. My father is Samuel Grave Toj, and he earns a living working as a farmer. He also does others odd jobs that he can find in order to support our family while my mother is a housewife. My mother’s name is Maria Isabel Pol Tzoc. My mother also raises a pig in order to earn a little money. Thank God, all my family is well. My family and I attend a church called Assembly of God.

I live with my family in my grandparents’ house. We share it with my uncles. There are three room and a separate kitchen. The house is made of adobe and wood walls, tin sheet roof and dirt floor. We have running water and electricity. My father pays for these services. Our main needs are groceries, corn and school fees. I walk about 5 minutes to come to the feeding program. I have one brother but he does not attend the feeding program. My mother helped me to give my information. God bless you and I hope hear from you soon.

With much love

Andy Gustavo Grave Pol

Translated by: Lucia Gravez/AAC Secretary